Alumni Activities

Recent gatheringsGraduates from the last ten years met for the Young Alumni Taskforce at The Commonwealth Club in Richmond and spent a Saturday sharing ideas and talking about ways to involve more young alumni in College events.

Later in the same day, members of the Gammon Society of donors, commonly called the Young Founders, attended an evening of fun and fellowship at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens. The event was sponsored by Malcolm Sydnor ’94 and Joe Dunn ’93.

Dean of Admissions Anita Garland has been busy recruiting new students and speaking at alumni club meetings, including the South Hampton Roads Club, the Martinsville Club (hosted by Will Pannill ’77), the Midlands Club of South Carolina in Columbia, and the Palmetto Club of Charleston (SC). Hugh Haskins ’01, director of planned giving (and a former associate dean of admissions), was excited to join Ms. Garland for many of the events.

The Atlanta Club filled the basement of Ormsby’s to meet with President Christopher Howard and new students.

The Nashville Club held a cocktail and hors d’œuvre reception at the Belle Meade Country Club on February 23, 2011, welcoming Dr. Howard to town. Michael Finucane ’94 sponsored and hosted this wonderful event. During his comments to the club, Dr. Howard mentioned that Myron Rolle, a member of the Tennessee Titans football team, will join the Hampden-Sydney College Board of Trustees.

After snow pushed it back a day, the Southside Alumni Club reception in Kirby Field house gave guests an opportunity for fellowship, good food, and to hear comments from Dean Garland, club president Chris Dowdy ’99, and President Howard before watching the 2011 edition of Tiger basketball.

Young Founders CelebrationOn Saturday, February 19, Young Founders from across the region gathered at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond for the Fifth Annual Young Founders Dinner Cele­bration.

This was the first time that the Young Founders celebration was held at Lewis Ginter. “It was a great night for the College,” says Cronly. “Our ability to build strong relationships with young alumni is critical to the College’s future.” The Gammon Medallion was established in 2006 to recognize Young Alumni (defined as graduates and non-graduates of Hampden-Sydney College who have not yet celebrated their 10-year Reunion) who have given of themselves in both service and philanthropy to Hampden-Sydney College.

Named in honor of ­Hampden-Sydney College’s President Edgar Graham Gammon, Class of 1905, the medallion recognizes those Young Alumni whose contributions have significantly aided the College in fulfilling its mission to form “good men and good citizens.”